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marthabohlale's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
katalexandra's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
threeseagrass's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an incredibly sad but hopeful story.
As a lot of you know, I am interested to the point of obsession in memoirs about mental health. This is my first encounter (reading-wise) with borderline personality disorder, a very confusing and frustrating mental illness. It's a huge interest of mine because this is what my best friend's sister suffers from.
Though seemingly less destructive than bipolar disorder (just given the experiences of the author in this book compared to [a: Marya Hornbacher|26256|Marya Hornbacher|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1262098825p2/26256.jpg] for example), BPD involves more frequent mood swings and centres strongly on relationships.
Rachel Reiland provides us with a raw and open look at her inner thoughts while in a bout of rage, seduction, or depression. The frequency with which her mood changes is extremely difficult to keep up with, and at an objective level, she understands that what she is doing is manipulative. Still, it's very difficult for her to stop. It's really interesting to see the mood swings from her point of view.
This was also really interesting from a therapeutic point of view. Rachel's psychiatrist is a saint. The type of therapy he provided her with drudged up some extremely difficult childhood memories that she had continued to oppress. Working with these issues that she had buried somewhere deep inside her allowed her to flourish and ultimately recover from her illness.
This is a really beautifully written book. Anyone with an interest in mental illness should give it a read.
As a lot of you know, I am interested to the point of obsession in memoirs about mental health. This is my first encounter (reading-wise) with borderline personality disorder, a very confusing and frustrating mental illness. It's a huge interest of mine because this is what my best friend's sister suffers from.
Though seemingly less destructive than bipolar disorder (just given the experiences of the author in this book compared to [a: Marya Hornbacher|26256|Marya Hornbacher|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1262098825p2/26256.jpg] for example), BPD involves more frequent mood swings and centres strongly on relationships.
Rachel Reiland provides us with a raw and open look at her inner thoughts while in a bout of rage, seduction, or depression. The frequency with which her mood changes is extremely difficult to keep up with, and at an objective level, she understands that what she is doing is manipulative. Still, it's very difficult for her to stop. It's really interesting to see the mood swings from her point of view.
This was also really interesting from a therapeutic point of view. Rachel's psychiatrist is a saint. The type of therapy he provided her with drudged up some extremely difficult childhood memories that she had continued to oppress. Working with these issues that she had buried somewhere deep inside her allowed her to flourish and ultimately recover from her illness.
This is a really beautifully written book. Anyone with an interest in mental illness should give it a read.
buffy87's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
sidneyandsabrina's review against another edition
3.0
This took me forever to read! It was very repetitive and at times I found it hard to read as they have questioned if I suffer from BDP. I found parts of this disturbing and the female sounded like a complete lunatic with behaviour that was disturbing and crazy at times. The sexual stuff towards her therapist was very uncomfortable and as far as I'm concerned not as normal as the therapist made out. Do I think I can be cured having read this book?! No!